Judged on lyrical proficiency and potency these 10 rappers represent the best of hip hop. Some specialize in powerful puns and others display lyrical depth.
These 10 rappers all bring a unique talent to the hip hop world, commonly defeating opponents in rap battles or selling millions of records. From the humble rap-battling origins to the billboard charts these rappers stand out as being the best of their genre.
- Tupac Shakur: Tupac should top every best-rapper-list, as he broke many records and made some of rap's most meaningful songs in his short 25 years. Some of Tupac's songs were originally written as poems and discuss social problems that other rappers shy away from. Case in point: Tupac's record sympathizing with troubled women; "Keep Ya Head Up"
- Eminem: Marshall Bruce Mathers, also known as Eminem or Slim Shady, entered the national rap scene in the late 1990s. He is well known for his sharp, witty insults and metaphors. Eminem began his music career in Detroit's underground rap-battle scene and ended up being one of rap's most famous and controversial stars.
- Biggie: Born Christopher Wallace, Biggie or Biggie Smalls, is the unofficial king of New York rap. Biggie is known for his feel-good party songs like "Big Poppa", but sometimes dealt with more serious issues like on the song "Suicidal Thoughts".
- Nas: Nasir Jones, known in the rap world as Nas, is one of raps most prominent figures. He burst onto the rap scene in the early 90s with Illmatic, and raps about everything from New York living to social injustices and human rights. Nas is more recently known for his Hip Hop is Dead album, where he outlines the problems in hip hop today.
- Jay Z: Jay Z helped shape rap into the mainstream powerhouse it is today. His hits in the late 90s such as "Big Pimpin'" showed many pop-music fans that rap isn't all about violence.
- 50 Cent: Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent is one of raps most controversial figures. He survived a violent shooting before being signed to Eminem's record label, Shady Records, and rising to the top of the charts with his first major hit single "In The Club".
- DMX: While new hip hop fans may not see DMX as a relevant figure in today's hip hop, it is Earl Simmons's gritty street-hop album It's Dark and Hell is Hot that influences the blunt boastful lyrics of many rappers today.
- Kanye West: Hated by many for his interruption of Taylor Swift at the MTV awards show, Kanye represents raw emotion and eccentric style in hip hop. He is as successful as a hip hop producer as he is as a rapper, and makes beats for many rappers including Jay Z.
- Crooked I: Probably the most under-rated rapper in hip hop, Crooked I brings an unmatched lyrical arsenal to every track. In December of 2010 he signed a record deal with Eminem and will be releasing new music in 2011 with his group Slaughterhouse.
- Lil Wayne: Despite his newer releases, which many rap fans seem to be speaking out against, Lil Wayne is deserving of the number 10 spot on any hip hop list. He breaches gaps between musical genres to reach fans that other rapper's can't. Lil Wayne is definitely one of rap's most prolific artists and has many free mixtapes available that are worthy of record-store release.
There are, of coarse, many rappers deserving recognition in specific top 10 lists, but these rappers have broken the ceiling and created musical masterpieces time and time again. Honorable mentions that didn't make the list include rappers Redman, Proof, Ghostface Killa, Royce da 5 9, Fabolous and Big L.
Copyright Justen Everage. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Justen Everage - Justen Everage is a technical writer, usually writing about computer repair and networking.
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